Tokyo offers such a diversity of things to do and see that in one morning you can be plunging through the futuristic chaos of the high street and in less than an hour you can be browsing through the ritualistic lives of the thousand year old sumo stables.
Below, our concierge has compiled a considered list including places to shop and dine to give our guests an interesting taste of Tokyo and useful places to meet or entertain.
Kabuki-za Theatre - 5 Minutes/2 Km or 1.2 Miles Kabuki is a unique Japanese theatrical performance that originated in the 17th Century as a form of emotional expression. It has many peculiarities, complex stage sets and mechanical devices, fabulous costumes and an all male cast.
Sumo - 10 Minutes/3 Km or 1.8 Miles Sumo is a traditional combative Japanese sport renowned for the impressive proportions of its competitors who weigh from 100 to 200 kilograms. The basic idea is for the competitors to stand in a ring, dohyou, and the first to push the other out of the dohyou is the winner. An ordinary seat costs 3,600 to 8,200 yen.
Ikebana, Flower Arranging The art of ikebana was brought to Japan from China. The idea is to promote relaxation and peace of mind with symbolic arrangements that originally represented man, heaven and earth when flowers were traditionally left for Buddhist priests.
Sado, The Tea Ceremony Influenced by Zen Buddhism, the ceremony involves ritualistic preparation of tea with specific instruments. As you join a tea ceremony you leave behind the physical world and enter the spiritual world of tea. Water represents yin and purity and the fire of the hearth represents yang.
Ueno Park - 10 Minutes/4 Km or 2.5 Miles Tokyo’s largest and oldest public park within which are temples, shrines, the zoo and many of the important museums. The Ueno Zoological Gardens has over 10,000 animals; some 300 different species including the Giant Panda.
Edo Tokyo Museum - 10 Minutes/4 Km or 2.5 Miles This is located at Ryogoku, near the Sumo Museum. It is worth seeing for the unusual architecture, the appearance is that of a giant space ship. The exhibits focus on the history and culture of Tokyo during the Edo Period.
Shitamachi Museum - 10 Minutes/3 Km or 1.8 Miles The museum presents the living environment of ordinary working class Tokyoites between the Meiji Restoration in 1868 and The Earthquake of 1923. A gem of a museum that is popular with children and adults alike.
Tokyo Water Cruise A 40 minute boat trip on the Sumida River allows you to view Tokyo from a totally different perspective. You pass under a total of 12 bridges between "Asakusa" and "Hinode Pier" each bridge is unique in both colour and design. The tour stops once at a former Imperial Garden.
Things to See
Tsukiji Fish Market - 10 Minutes/3 Km or 1.8 Miles This is the largest fish market in the world, selling seafood at the rate of 2.2 million kilos per day. The best time to visit the market is between 5:30 and 07:00 when the auctions start. Wander through the stalls then enjoy a fresh sushi breakfast.
Tokyo Stock Exchange - 10 Minutes Walk/0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles Visit the world’s second largest stock exchange market. Guided tours in English are available with an advance reservation basis. Please ask our concierge to make arrangements.
Asakusa - 12 Minutes/6 Km or 3.7 Miles One of Tokyo’s oldest neighbourhoods and home Tokyo’s most ancient temple. Enter through the Kaminari-mon gate, from which hangs an enormous red lantern then stroll down the narrow Nakamise Street lined with shops. This leads to Senso-ji Temple where you can bathe your body in curative incense smoke.
Meiji Jingu Shrine - 25 Minutes/9 Km or 5.6 Miles This is not an old shrine, having been reconstructed after World War II but it is a beautiful refuge in Tokyo. It has a pretty garden, with a carp pond. There is a treasure house museum with various artefacts associated with the Emperor Meiji who reigned between 1868 and 1912.
Imperial Palace East Garden - 20 Minutes Walk/2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles The Palace itself is only open to the public twice a year on 23 December and 2 January however the east gardens are open Tuesday to Thursday. Formally known as Edo Castle, this used to be residence of the Tokugawa Shogunate, today it is the Imperial Family residence.
Where to Shop
Nihonbashi This area is known as the ‘Centre of Japan’; it has been the point of origin for all roads in Japan since the Edo period. For that reason Nihonbashi has thrived as a merchant town, or now as the shopping and business district. The very first Mitsukoshi department store is located here.
Ginza - 5 Minutes/2 Km or 1.2 Miles The famous upmarket shopping area of Tokyo, where every luxury brand is represented and every purchase seems a luxury. It is possible to pay USD 10 for a cup of coffee here. At the weekend in the afternoon the main street is closed to traffic making it easier to browse through hundreds of shops.
Shinjuku - 30 Minutes/10 Km or 6.2 Miles Pulsating district immediately surrounding Shinjuku station, which handles a staggering 2 million passengers each day. Subterranean shopping malls below and a soaring melee of neon above. You’ll find various department stores, including the Isetan flagship store which sprawls over 10 floors.
Shibuya - 25 Minutes/11 Km or 7 Miles You step out of Shibuya station slap bang into the archetypal Tokyo city shopping image. Giant boards of neon glare down at you; a complex junction flashes lights and crowds of young shoppers cross the street in one homogenous mass. Also the birth place of many unique Japanese fashion trends.
Akihabara - 5 minutes / 2.2 km or 1.4 Miles The centre for electronic product shops and one of the largest areas of its kind in the world. Marvel at the range of products that have not even left the Japanese market and their amazing technology. The other theme you will notice is the manga shops and cafes.
Harajuku/Omotesando - 25 Minutes/10 Km or 6.2 Miles Just north of Shibuya is Harajuku, the main attraction being the narrow, pedestrianized Takeshita Street, which is so crowded at weekends it is virtually impossible to move independently. Omotesando is a more sophisticated experience; reminiscent of European cities.
Markets There are a number of antique and second hand markets in Tokyo which make an interesting perspective on life even just browsing through them. You may pick up an old wood block, or pretty Japanese tea set, or perhaps a second hand Kimono. Take your pick from the following depending on the time of your visit. Our concierge wil
Togo Shrine Flea Market - 30 Minutes/10.5 Km or 6.5 Miles In Shibuya-ku, open every 1st and 4th Sunday from dawn. Hanazono Shrine Antique Fair - 30 Minutes/7.6 Km or 4.7 Miles In Shibuya-ku, open every Sunday from dawn. Nogi Shrine Flea Market - 15 Minutes/7.2 Km or 4.5 Miles In Minato-ku, open on the 2nd Sunday of each month. Ningyocho China Market - 10 Minutes/1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles Where wholesalers hold a three day clearance sale every August. Roppongi Antique Fair - 20 Minutes/8.3 Km or 5.1 Miles Every 4th Thursday and Friday of each month. Oedo Antique Fair - 10 Minutes/4 Km or 2.5 Miles The 3rd Sunday of every month October to March.
Approximately 250 licensed antique dealers gather at Tokyo International Forum in Yurakucho participate in the fair making it the largest outdoor antique fair in Tokyo.
Where to Dine
In this section we detail our concierge recommendations for Japanese and Western restaurants.
Japanese dining is quite a particular experience, with some distinctive qualities, which when recognised, will enhance the appreciation of dining out. Freshness of produce is highly valued, which is indeed vital when it comes to the best sushi but can mean your dish is still alive when served or seared on a teppanyaki hot plate before your eyes. Simplicity is key; the quality of the produce is enhanced but never overwhelmed, complexity is preserved for the exquisite presentation which is a large part of the experience.
Each country has its own etiquette but if you consider these important elements it will be appreciated by your Japanese hosts or guest. Filling your own glass is frowned upon, rather serve your companion and wait for them to serve you. The sauces are used as a light dip as opposed to giving your sushi a good soak. The most unpardonable sin would be to blow your nose in a restaurant.
There is a wide variety of quite different culinary styles in Japanese cuisine from adroit knives and hot plates of teppanyaki, the smoky street teriyaki grills, lightly battered tempura, steaming sukiyaki soup fondue, to the fresh produce in the sushi bars.
Japanese Restaurants
Ten-Ichi - 10 Minutes taxi ride/ 2.7km or 1.6 Miles This historic restaurant offers the finest tempura delicacies and is Tokyo’s best known tempura house. Chefs prepare and serve light and aromatic tempura at a special bar. A full-course meal also includes sashimi, salad, rice and dessert.
Robataya - Japanese grill - 20 minutes by taxi This lively restaurant is located in Roppongi, the night life capital of Tokyo. Instead of a written menu, a variety of fresh seafood, meats and vegetables are laid out behind a “U” shaped counter. Point to what you want to have and watch as the chefs pick it up on a long paddle, grill
Ukaitei – Teppanyaki - 10 minutes by taxi Ukaitei is one of the classiest teppanyaki restaurants in the city. European antiques set in a what was once a Japanese home make for a very elegant interior. Enjoy fine Japanese beef and seafood prepared on the metal counter before your eyes.
Sakuragawa – Kaiseki - located below Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo Sakuragawa specializes in kaiseki ryori, or formal Japanese cuisine served in courses. Dishes are prepared with seasonal seafood and vegetables and the presentation makes each dish a work of art in itself.
Kyubey – Sushi - 10 minutes by taxi Kyubey is probably the most famous sushi restaurant in Tokyo. Prices are steep (dinner can average at around 30,000 yen per person), but the fish is top quality. Expect to wait to be seated even with a reservation.
Zakuro Muromachi – 2 minutes by foot Enjoy being served by kimono wearing staff in this local branch of the famous shabu shabu restaurant. Shabu shabu consists of thinly sliced strips of Japanese beef lightly boiled at your table with vegetables, and then dipped in a special sauce for flavoring. In addition to shabu shabu, you can enjoy sukiyaki, Japanese steak and kaiseki course meals. Private rooms are also available.
Western Restaurants
L’Osier – French - 5 Minutes/2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles Super chic with black leather banquettes and rich carpets. Contemporary French flavours. Conveniently located in the up-market shopping district of Ginza.
Sant Pau – Spanish – 7 minutes by foot or taxi Chef Carme Ruscalleda’s famous Barcelona restaurant has a branch just down the street from our hotel. The chic interior and extremely creative dishes here will be sure to please.
Armani Ristorante – Italian – 10 minutes by taxi What classier way to enjoy Italian cuisine than atop the chic Armani Ginza Tower? The ultra modern interior presents a fine backdrop to a formal Italian meal.
Dazzle - Contemporary Continental - 10 minutes by taxi A sea of pearl-shaped lights, an impressive floor-to-ceiling wine rack, and windows shaped like falling cherry blossom petals set the scene for a fine dining experience. Dazzle is situated atop the eye-catching Mikimoto 2 building, worth the trip for the building itself.
